Daily Cal: Anger, Jordan Named Pac-10 Players of the Week

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By Matt Kawahara

The Upside of Anger

Zack Follett's sack, Sean Cattouse's interception and Nate Longshore's touchdown pass to Cameron Morrah were all impressive, but the No. 1 highlight of the Cal football team's win over Arizona State on Saturday may have come off of the right foot of punter Bryan Anger.   After the Bears went three-and-out from their own 23-yard line late in the fourth quarter, Anger unleashed a booming punt that drew a chorus of "oohs" from the crowd of 58,302 and traveled 72 yards after a California bounce, pinning the Sun Devils at their own five-yard line.  It was one of three Anger punts that were downed inside the Arizona State 10-yard line. Anger averaged 47.4 yards over his seven kicks on the day, increasing his season average to 45.1, which is good for seventh in the nation.

"Huge," coach Jeff Tedford said of Anger's contribution. "Not only did he kick the ball far, but when he had to sky punt it down inside he kicked it very high and put it down inside the 10. You talk about creating field advantage, and he really did that."  On Monday, Anger was rewarded for his performance with Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.  Six of the redshirt freshman's 24 punts on the season have gone for over 50 yards, while 10 have pinned opposing offenses inside their own 20-yard line.  "He has the ability to do that all the time," Tedford said. "He is a real weapon, there's no doubt about it."

Kickoff Team Shows Marked Improvement

Tedford was also notably happier with the performance of his kickoff team against the Sun Devils.  Last weekend against Colorado State, David Seawright and Jordan Kay combined for three kickoffs that bounced out of bounds and allowed the Rams to start from their own 40-yard line.  On Saturday, left-footed Giorgio Tavecchio took back the kickoff duties, managed to keep the ball in bounds, and averaged 61 yards over his five kicks.  "They kept the ball in the field of play," Tedford said. "We challenged our kickoff team last week to go down and make plays on coverage, but unfortunately we didn't put the ball in play all the time. Giorgio, I thought, did a nice job, got some hang time on the ball."

The Sun Devils' best starting position off a kickoff was their own 32-yard line. Twice, they were started drives after kickoffs from inside their own 20. Those drives ended in a fumble and a punt.

Jordan Garners Player of the Week Honors

Cal defensive end-and Chandler, Ariz., native-Cameron Jordan joined Anger on the Pac-10's honor roll this week by being named Defensive Player of the Week.   Jordan set the defense's aggressive tone early by sacking ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter twice in the first quarter, and went on to record a team-high three tackles for loss and eight tackles total.  Five of Jordan's tackles were of the solo variety, and he also forced a fumble with one of his hits on Carpenter.